The Wire: Waiver Wire pickups for week 8, 2008

Here’s a look at the players to target on your league’s waiver wire this week. This list is ordered by the percentage of ESPN leagues in which the player is available; even if you’re not a ESPN user, it’s a decent indication of how likely you are to find the player on waivers in your league. We also note here how strongly we feel about this pickup with three categories: Instant Starter, Grab ‘n’ Stash, or Desperation Pickup.

Malcom Floyd, WR, Chargers (0.8% owned, Desperation Pickup) – Floyd is making the most of starter Chris Chambers being out and has a touchdown in the past two games (along with a 70 yard average.) San Diego plays in London this coming weekend, so expect Chambers to try his hardest to get out on the international stage, but Floyd will continue to get some looks.

Josh Morgan, WR, 49er’s (2.5% owned, Grab ‘n’ Stash) – The rookie showed promise in the preseason, but hasn’t lived up to the hype until this past weekend, where he had five catches for 86 yards and a touchdown. As he gains more experience, expect him to become a bigger part of this offense. He’s a great keeper league prospect at this point.

Donnie Avery, WR, Rams (3.8% owned, Grab ‘n’ Stash) – Avery was on this list last week after his 73 yard performance in week six. This weekend he rewarded those who took the chance on him with a 65, one touchdown performance. While he’s not quite a sure start, he’s still worth grabbing and using for bye weeks and obviously he’s a good keeper league candidate.

Pierre Thomas, RB, Saints (14.3% owned, Grab ‘n’ Stash) – Reggie Bush hurt his knee this weekend and might be out for upwards of a month. His primary backup, Deuce McAllister, is most likely taken in your league, but there’s a chance that his backup will be available. The team should adopt a more straight-forward running style with Bush out, so expect Thomas to get some chances in relief of Deuce.

Cedric Benson, RB, Bengals (18.1% owned, Desperation Pickup) – With starter Chris Perry proving to be ineffective, the Bengals took a chance on their new acquisition and started Benson…but he didn’t really do much against a tough Steelers defense. His matchup is a bit better this coming weekend though as the Bengals take on the Texans, so he’s worth a bye-week fill in if it’s announced that he’ll get the start again.

Javon Walker, WR, Raiders (25.5% owned, Desperation Pickup) – Is this the beginning of big things between JaMarcus Russell and Walker? Or just a one game fling? Either way, Javon put up 75 yards and a touchdown in his last game and is worth picking up and seeing how things go from here.

Mewelde Moore, RB, Steelers (34.2% owned, Instant Starter) – There’s a good chance that starter Willie Parker will be out for another game or two, especially if Mewelde continues to play the way he did this weekend (134 combined yards, 3 TD.) Moore is still available in 2/3 of the league out there, so there’s a chance he’s there in yours if your league isn’t ultra-competitive.

Antonio Bryant, WR, Buccaneers (40.7% owned, Instant Starter) – After a one catch game last weekend, there’s a chance that Bryant was available in your league. However, he’ll be going fast this week after a 115 yard and a touchdown performance this weekend. Bryant has been slightly eratic this season, but when he goes big, he goes really big and is worth the risk.

Jeff Garcia, QB, Buccaneers (41.8% owned, Grab ‘n’ Stash) – After a big game for Garcia this past weekend (300 yards, TD), it looks like he’s pretty secure as the Bucs starter. While I don’t expect a lot of huge performances from him, he makes an ideal/safe backup.

John Carlson, TE, Seahawks (45.2% owned, Instant Starter) – Carlson is quietly putting up top 15 tight end stats, so if you’re looking for a bye-week fill in at the position, see if he’s available in your league.

Kevin Curtis, WR, Eagles (48.5% owned, Grab ‘n’ Stash) – It looks like Curtis will return to the Eagles this coming weekend and should put up some pretty decent stats if he can return to his pre-sports hernia form. Curtis and DeSean Jackson make a decent one-two punch at the position and should give Donovan McNabb a boost. I wouldn’t start Curtis this week, but grab him and see what form he returns to this weekend.

Dominic Rhodes, RB, Colts (57.8% owned, Instant Starter) – If Rhodes is still available in your league, pick him up…especially if you’re an Addai owner.

I am in quite a predicament. No thanks to that MORON Kellen Winslow. I have to keep added another TE each week with his injuries/illness and stupid suspension. I have managed to reap the benefits of the waiver wire each week and am tied in first in my league. These are the RB that I have. I need to drop 2 of them to make room for a kicker and a TE. Now one of them I have no problem getting rid of, it is the 2nd one that is giving me trouble.

Maurice Jones-Drew – mighty mouse is staying
Steve Slaton – money maker
Jonathan Stewart – hit or miss, but still love the schedule for rest of the year
Sammy Morris – after last week I love him to take over in NE
Correll Buckhalter – has amazing value is Westbrook goes down again
Dominic Rhodes – I have no problem dropping him since the next 3 opponents are TEN, NE, and PIT.
Deuce McAllister – would suck to lose because Bush is out 2-4 weeks and they have SD, then a bye week and come back to face ATL and KC.

My real problem is after Rhodes who would I drop….

Buckhalter and hope I can pick him up again the next day. Or McAllister and just run with what I have left and possibly get him the next day. I hate this decision.